ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
MSP Operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
Paddy Procurement shows increase of 20.18% over last year
About 18.91 Lakh Paddy Farmers have benefitted from the KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 42422.49 Crores
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes, as was done in previous seasons.
Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is progressing at a good pace in the procuring States/UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh with purchase of over 224.70 LMT of paddy upto 03.11.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 186.97 LMT showing an increase of 20.18% over last year. Out of the total purchase of 224.70 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 158.47 LMT whichis
70.52 % of total procurement.
About 18.91 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 42422.49 Crores.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 45.10 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme . Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuringagencies.
Upto 03.11.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 18523.69 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs. 100.11 Crores benefitting 11243 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan. Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs. 52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses andOilseeds.
Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. Till 03.11.2020 a quantity of 770802 cotton bales valuing Rs.224235 lakh has been procured benefitting 147480 farmers.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Misleading Social Media post on problem to migrant labourers in Nagaland
FACT CHECK REPORT FROM NAGALAND
The Morung Express twitter handle  today tweeted “#Nagaland Far from home, migrant workers facing daily challenges.” The tweet also gives the link to the story with the same headline.
In the news story the thrust is on the assistance that the migrant workers in the state are getting from the government. However, the caption of the tweet and the headline of the story suggests the exact opposite.
All 11 districts of the state have camps for migrant labourers and their needs for food and essential items is being fully taken care of. The story itself suggests that the migrant workers and BPL families are aware of the facilities and are benefiting from it. District wise State Covid help dashboard has updated details of the assistance being provided to each category of beneficiaries. Distribution of rice and other PDS items and essential goods is being done proactively in all the districts and in the remotest regions of the state. This help is being given as a result of the PMGKY package of the Central government.
In this time of crisis, when each section of the society is playing its part in fighting the Covid19 pandemic, it is requested that such misleading headlines and social media captions are avoided and the focus should be to better inform the public of the various schemes are in operation and ways in which they can avail themselves of the benefits.
(Visitor Counter : 92
Ministry of Defence
Grant of ECHS Facilities to World War Ii Veterans, ECOS, SSCOS and Pre-Mature Retirees
Ministry of Defence has decided to grant ECHS facilities to World War II Veterans, Emergency Commissioned Officers , Short Service Commissioned Officers  and pre-mature retirees.
It is being proposed to waive the conditions relating to being ESM/in receipt of pension for grant membership of ECHS to World War II Veterans, ECOs, SSCOs and pre-mature retirees subject to the following conditions:
They must apply for membership of ECHS and accept the Rules of ECHS.ECHS facilities would be extended only to the individuals of the above-mentioned categories and their spouses. They will have to pay one-time contribution and become members of the ECHS. . They should not have been discharged on disciplinary grounds. They should not be covered under any other institutional health scheme of the Government.They should abide by the ECHS Rules as amended from time to time.The WW-II Veterans and ECOs and their spouses would be allowed all ECHS facilities including treatment in ECHS empanelled hospitals, and free OPD and IPD treatment facilities at the AFMS Hospitals, as available to other ECHS members.The SSCOs and pre-mature retirees and their spouses would be eligible for the following facilities:
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- Free OPD services from ECHS Polyclinics
- They must pay for OPD/IPD/Investigations in ECHS empanelled hospitals and seek reimbursement @ 75 per cent of total admissible expenditure for personnel having more than 10 years of service and @ 50 per cent of total admissible expenditure for personnel having less than or equal to 10 years of service.
It may be noted that there has been a long pending demand from the World War II Veterans, Emergency Commissioned Officers , and Short Service Commissioned Officers  for grant of ECHS facilities.There are precedents when the conditions of ECHS membership have been waived due to special circumstances with the approval of CCS in the past. . The Raksha Mantri’s Committee of Experts has recommended in its report that SSCOs and ECOs and all other personnel released without the benefit of pension but on completion of terms with gratuity be granted ECHS facilities.
The total annual financial implication would be about Rs21.28crore per year plus Rs94.30 lakh per annum due to members added every year. In addition, the financial implication would increase to the extent of number of pre-mature retirements taking place in subsequent years.Expected number of beneficiaries going to be around 43,000.
Ministry of Finance
Last date for filing applications under Sabka Vishwas  Scheme extended to 31st December, 2020 for UT of Jammu & Kashmir and UT of Ladakh
In a major decision to help the trade and industry in the newly formed Union Territory  of Jammu & Kashmir and UT of Ladakh, the Central Government has decided to extend the period for availing the Sabka Vishwas   Scheme , 2019 to 31st December, 2020 for eligible taxpayers from these UTs.
This decision would come as a major relief to taxpayers of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh who faced genuine difficulties in availing the Scheme during the original period of operation. The extension gives these taxpayers a fresh opportunity to settle their past tax disputes.
SVLDRS, 2019 was introduced on 1st September, 2019 with the objective of reducing litigation and disputes relating to legacy taxes namely, Central Excise and Service Tax so that taxpayers could focus on GST. The Scheme provided taxpayers relief in payment of disputed tax amounts ranging from 70%  to 40%. It also provided for full waiver of interest and penalty. The Scheme closed on 30.06.2020.
Despite impact of COVID-19, SVLDRS, 2019 evoked an enthusiastic response and a total 1,89,225 number of declarations involving total tax dues of Rs. 89,823 crores were received. The Scheme led to recovery of Rs. 27,866 crores making this the best performing scheme in the history of indirect taxes.
This decision to extend the period for availing the Scheme for the taxpayers of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir and UT of Ladakh would provide them a level playing field with the thousands of other taxpayers across the country who took the advantage of the Scheme.
The detailed guidelines shall be issued shortly.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing several schemes exclusively for the educational upliftment of Scheduled Tribes in India.
Highlights:
- The Department of School Education and Literacy  with effect from 2018-19 has launched an Integrated Centrally Sponsored Scheme for School Education- Samagra Shiksha.
- Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Smt.Renuka Singh Saruta gave various details of Tribal education in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing following schemes exclusively for the educational upliftment of Scheduled Tribes in India.
- Eklavya Model Residential Schools 
- Pre-Matric Scholarship to ST students
- Post-Matric Scholarship to ST students
- National Overseas Scholarships for ST Candidates for Studying Abroad
- National Fellowship & Scholarship for Higher Education of ST students
Further, the Department of School Education and Literacy  with effect from 2018-19 has launched an Integrated Centrally Sponsored Scheme for School Education- Samagra Shiksha. The scheme has now been aligned with the recommendations of NEP 2020 to ensure that all children have access to quality education with an equitable and inclusive classroom environment which should take care of their diverse background, multilingual needs, different academic abilities and make them active participants in the learning process. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to States and UTs inter-alia for undertaking various activities for reducing the number of 'Out of School Children', which include education to homeless children, including opening/strengthening of new schools upto senior secondary level, construction of school buildings & additional classrooms, etc.
Further, for the first time in 2021-22, financial assistance upto Rs. 2000 per annum has been envisioned by DoSE&L for supporting 'Out of School Children' of age group of 16-19 years, belonging to socio economically disadvantaged groups, for completing their education through National Institute of Open Schooling / State Institute of Open Schooling , for accessing course materials and certification.
Under ‘Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman’  of DoSE&L one hot cooked meal in Government and Government aided schools is provided to students at the elementary level of education.
This reply was given by Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Smt.Renuka Singh Saruta in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Culture
Union Culture Minister Shri Prahlad Singh Patel Visits National School of Drama and attends meeting of National School of Drama Society
Government will take all the measures to strengthen the premier institute: Shri Prahlad Singh Patel
Union Minister of State for Culture & Tourism  Shri Prahlad Singh Patel paid a visit to National School of Drama in New Delhi today. He also attended a meeting of National School of Drama Society in the campus. The members of National School of Drama Society and Chairman brought to the attention of Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, t the pending work of National School of Drama such as the demand of National School of Drama to be made an institute of national importance, re-development of National School of Drama campus and revision of salary of Director, Faculty Members and Registrar.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Prahlad Singh Patel assured all the members of the society that government will take all the measures to strengthen the premier institute. He also agreed to look into the matter if revision of the pay scales of teaching staff and other staff members of National School of Drama. Shri Patel also assured that he will look into all the other issues sympathetically.
The Minister expressed his gratitude and said that he is very glad to get this opportunity to attend the meeting of National School Drama Society and to meet experts from all over the country. During the meeting a short film on National School of Drama was shown to Culture Minister. After watching the film Shri Patel said that the short film is very informative.
Acting Chairman of National School of Drama Society, Dr. Arjun Deo Charan, welcomed him to the meeting of National School of Drama Society and thanked for sparing his valuable time to come to National School of Drama and to spend some time with members of National School of Drama Society.
Ministry of Science & Technology
DST is working for the fast-changing future needs of the country: DST Secretary Professor Ashutosh Sharma
“It is crucial to keep in mind that science, technology, and innovation has a very wide horizon and is necessary for corporates, policymakers, and institutions to use this for economic growth and prosperity”: Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian, Chief Economic Advisor ,GoI
At a webinar organized to celebrate the 50th year of DST recently, Secretary Department of Science & Technology  Prof Ashutosh Sharma said that with huge emphasis on innovation, startups, creating new jobs and wealth by using science, technology, and innovation; DST is working for the future needs of the country which are changing at a faster pace and scale.
“DST is working to develop capacity, capability in all areas of science and technology. In the last five years, our budget has doubled, and so we are able to explore more in the field of science, technology, and innovation to help the country towards using innovation for a prosperous future,” Professor Sharma said while speaking at the webinar organized by National Council for Science & Technology Communication  and Vigyan Prasar as part of the DST Golden Jubilee Discourse Series –“On the other side of the Pandemic”.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian, Chief Economic Advisor , Government of India, discussed the role of science and technology in nation-building and economic progress of the country and the way forward in the fast-paced changing world.
Complimenting the role of DST in nation-building, he said, “Innovation is a very important component of economic growth. We have done very well so far, but when we look forward to the next 50 years, it is crucial to keep in mind that science, technology, and innovation has a very wide horizon and is necessary for corporates, policymakers, and institutions to use this for economic growth and prosperity by implementing the research in context of the country’s problems. Explorative innovation is path-breaking and may involve failures. So, failure should be tolerated in order to achieve path-breaking results.”
They also emphasised on the need to be more vigilant and strictly follow COVID-19 protocol of masking, using sanitizers and washing hands frequently, avoid crowding, and maintaining social distance to avoid serious consequences of second and third waves of the pandemic similar to some European and other countries.
Special Service and Features
PM dedicates 75 Digital Banking Units across 75 districts to the Nation
MoS Bishweswar Tudu attends inauguration of DBU at Salepur, Cuttack in Odisha
DBU is a step towards strengthening financial inclusion : Shri Tudu
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today dedicated 75 digital banking units  across 75 districts to the Nation. Four such units are from Odisha. The units are located in Cuttack, Khordha, Puri and Keonjhar districts.
Joining the inaugural ceremony of DBU at UCO Bank, Salepur in Cuttack district of Odisha, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs and Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu said, DBU is a step towards strengthening financial inclusion efforts of the Government. "The 75 DBUs inaugurated by the Prime Minister today will ensure hassle free banking services round the clock to citizens and ensure financial inclusion of people at the grassroot", he added.
Shri Tudu also inspected the facilities available at the unit and interacted with the senior officers.
The DBUs will provide facilities of cash withdrawal & diposit, account opening, FD/RD, digital loans, passbook printing, balance enquiry and fund transfer to the customers.
As part of the Union budget speech for 2022-23, the Finance Minister had announced the setting up of the 75 DBUs in 75 districts of the country to commemorate the 75 years of independence of our country. The DBUs are being set up with an objective to ensure benefits of digital banking reach every nook and corner of the country and will cover all the States and Union territories. 11 Public Sector Banks, 12 Private Sector Banks and one Small Finance Bank are participating in the endeavour.
Ministry of Finance
Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2020-21  – Issue Price
In terms of Government of India Notification No.4-B//2020 dated April 13, 2020, Sovereign Gold Bonds 2020-21  will be opened for the period August 03-07, 2020 with Settlement date August 11, 2020. The issue price of the Bond during the subscription period shall be `5,334  – per gram, as also published by RBI in their Press Release dated July 31, 2020.
The Government of India in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India has decided to allow discount of `50  per gram from the issue price to those investors who apply online and the payment is made through digital mode. For such investors the issue price of Gold Bond will be `5,284  per gram of gold.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between Indian Space Research Organisation and the Bolivian Space Agency on Cooperation in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space for peaceful purposes
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding  signed between India and Bolivia on Cooperation in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes".
The MoU was signed between the Indian Space Research Organisation  and the Bolivian Space Agency on March 29,2019 at Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia during the visit of President of India to Bolivia.
Details:
- This MoU shall enable the following potential interest areas of cooperation such as, space science, technology and applications including remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication and satellite based navigation; Space science and planetary exploration; use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system; and application of space technology.
- This MoU would lead to setup a Joint Working Group, drawing members from ISRO and the Bolivian Space Agency , which will further work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing this MoU.
Implementation Strategy and Targets:
The signed MoU would lead to concluding specific implementing Arrangement and setting up of Joint Working Group, to work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing this MoU.
Major Impact:
The signed MoU will provide impetus to explore newer research activities and application possibilities in the field of remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication; satellite navigation; space science and planetary exploration.
Expenditure involved:
The financial contribution with respect to each specific activity would depend on the nature of Joint activity and will be detailed in corresponding Implementing Agreements  / Contracts.
Benefits:
This MoU would lead to develop a joint activity in the field of application of space technologies for the benefit of humanity. Thus all sections and regions of the country will get benefited.
Background:
- Bolivian Space Agency , in a letter to Indian Ambassador to Bolivia in December 2016, expressed interest to establish space cooperation with ISRO. As a follow-up, ISRO hosted 02-member delegation on June 05-06, 2017 and discussed on potential cooperation in Earth Observation and Satellite Communication. ABE delegation has also visited ISRO's Technical facilities at Bengaluru. Bolivian side expressed strong interest to pursue space cooperation with India and the Indian Ambassador to Bolivia has requested ISRO to send a standard draft on space cooperation, that could be shared with Bolivian side.
- Considering the importance of this request, Agency-level draft MoU for India-Bolivia space cooperation was shared to Bolivian side, with the approval of Chairman, ISRO/ Secretary, DOS. Subsequently, Bolivian side has given its concurrence and both sides have arrived at mutually agreed version for signing.
President's Secretariat
Probationers of Indian Forest Service Call on the President
Nature has Given us Bountiful Presents and it is the Duty of Each One of us to be Sensitive and Responsible Towards the Environment: President Murmu
Probationers of Indian Forest Service called on the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today .
Addressing the officers, the President said that forests are the anchors for all life on earth. Their role varies from providing wildlife habitats and being livelihood source, to promoting economic activities and serving as large carbon sinks. They are home to many endangered species of the world. Minor Forest Produce supports livelihood of well over 27 crore people in our country. Forests have high medicinal value too.
The President said that India is giving special attention to the rights of forest dwelling communities. The symbiotic relationship of the forest dwellers including tribal communities, with the forests is now widely recognised and factored in our development choices. It is responsibility of Indian Forest Service Officers to make these communities aware of their rights and duties towards conservation and protection of bio-diversity.
The President said that these days we hear about many large forest fires in various parts of India and the world. We have a big challenge of not just conserving the forests but dealing with climate change. Today we have new technologies and concepts of urban forestry, forest risk mitigation, data driven forest management and climate-smart forest economies. She urged Indian Forest Service Officers to innovate and come out with new methods for sustainable management of India’s forest resources. She said that they must also play an effective role in protecting our forests from illegal activities which have negative economic and environmental impact.
The President said that forests are essential for the social, cultural and economic development of the country. We must keep our forests alive and healthy. Development is a must and so is sustainability. Nature has given us bountiful presents and it is the duty of each one of us to be sensitive and responsible towards the environment. We have to gift our future generations, regenerated natural resources and a beautiful country with sustainable ecosystems.
Please click here to see the President's speech -
Ministry of Defence
P-8I AIRCRAFT COMMENCE OPERATIONS FROM INS HANSA
The Indian Navy's Boeing P-8I aircraft commenced operations from INS Hansa, Goa with two aircraft arriving on 30 December 2021. The aircraft were inducted after fitment of indigenous equipment and Flight Acceptance Trials. On arrival, the aircraft were welcomed by a MiG 29K formation.
The Indian Navy had acquired the first batch of eight P-8I aircraft in 2013 that are stationed at INS Rajali, Arakkonam. The second batch of four additional aircraft will be based at Indian Naval Air Squadron 316, to be commissioned at INS Hansa.